Journal of Postgraduate Medicine Medknow Publications and Staff Society of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India ISSN: 0022-3859 EISSN: 0972-2823 Vol. 56, Num. 1, 2010, pp. 49-49

Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, Vol. 56, No. 1, January-March, 2010, pp. 49

Letter

Antiphospholipid antibodies in stroke

Sharma V

University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi), Delhi, India

Correspondence Address: Dr. Vishal Sharma, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi), Delhi, India, docvishalsharma@gmail.com

Code Number: jp10020

PMID: 20393258

DOI: 10.4103/0022-3859.62417

Sir,

We read with interest the research article "Antiphospholipid antibodies in young Indian patients with stroke." ^[1] The authors have done well to evaluate the role of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) in young Indian patients with stroke. While the status of diabetes, smoking and hyperlipidemia has been mentioned, the authors have failed to mention the status of hypertension in the study population as also the controls. Hypertension, arguably, is amongst the most important risk factors for ischemic stroke.

It would have been interesting if these patients had been evaluated for other causes of arterial thrombosis e.g. homocystinuria, dysfibrinogenemia and hematological risk factors. This would have clarified the exact causation of APLA in stroke by ruling out other causes of thrombophilia. The results would have been of added value if they had been repeated after 12 weeks. ^[2] It would have been important for the management of these patients. Such patients who qualify for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome would need long-term, possibly lifelong anticoagulation. ^[3]

References

1.	Mishra MN, Rohatgi S. Antiphospholipid antibodies in young Indian patients with stroke. J Postgrad Med 2009;55:161-4.  Back to cited text no. 1  [PUBMED]
2.	Miyakis S, Lockshin MD, Atsumi T, Branch DW, Brey RL, Cervera R, et al. International consensus statement on an update of the classification criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). J Thromb Haemost 2006;4:295-306.  Back to cited text no. 2  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
3.	Lim W, Crowther MA, Eikelboom JW. Management of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a systematic review. JAMA 2006;295:1050-7.  Back to cited text no. 3  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]

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